UNITED NATIONS REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON DATA DISSEMINATION

AND COMMUNICATION

VENUE: Amman, JordanDATE: 9th September, 2013Presenter: GODWIN ODEI GYEBI

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TOPIC: Promoting Effective Dissemination of Data – Ghana’s experience

Introduction• The recent trend in development of data and

dissemination and communication is an integral component of effective and efficient planning and management.

• In as much as data is important for planning, it is also a crucial element for monitoring and evaluation of policies and programs.

• Data – being census, survey and administrative data is not complete until it is made available to potential users in a form that is suitable to their demands.

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Dissemination in the past• In the past, dissemination of data is

mainly done through the printing (hard copies) of reports.• The reports are distributed to only a

few institutions and individuals. • Such reports are mainly kept in our

offices, libraries and home.

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Dissemination in the past–produced as tables in unpublished

form for limited distribution –stored in a database and supplied

upon request–dissemination seminars and

workshops at the national, regional levels, etc.

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Dissemination in the past• The purpose of the dissemination workshops is

to provide data (censuses, surveys, administrative) to planners, administrators and researchers.

• Such direct interactions between the producers of data (census and surveys) and its users would enable the latter to understand the impact of data

• For broader consultation with stakeholders on the use of the data.

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The need for a shift• The fast-growing uses of computer and its

networking call for wider and deeper electronic dissemination of products with user-friendly interface, efficient retrieval and manipulation functionality.

• The need to change from paper work to electronic form of dissemination – which should be able to get to wider users within a very short time.

• The change should be more visual, more personal, more social

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Current dissemination - Electronic• Collect structured time series data on all variables

and indicators and store at the respective data silos: IMIS – Integrated Management Information System GhanaInfo CountryStat National Data Archives CensusInfo Metadata Handbook on National Development

Indicators Handbook on statistical compendium

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GhanaInfo • GhanaInfo is the national adaptation of Dev Info software, a

global initiative funded by the United Nations. • It is Ghana’s Socio-Economic and demographic Indicator

Database.• It is a user-friendly computer program for storage, retrieval,

comparison and dissemination of a wide range of indicators from different sources - national surveys, censuses and administrative systems.

• GhanaInfo also allows the user to retrieve and compare indicator data values across multiple time periods, geographic levels, and other sub-group dis-aggregations. Data presentation is possible with tables, graphs and maps.

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REDATAM Software• Population databases are highly recommended

as they greatly expand the usability and enhance the dissemination of census data.

• Databases on micro-data (individual records) permit retrieval of data at any level of detail.

• They are ideal tools to produce small-area statistics.

• This package enables data users to easily derive information from the database, including new variables, tabulations and other outputs.

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Making Census Dataset available to users at the Local Government Level• Training District Planning Officers in the

use of REDATAM to generate tables and indicators

• Assist district officers to produce their own census analytical reports

• Disseminate the District Census Analytical reports

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Current Implementing Strategy and Future Plans for Information Communication

• The GSS has set up a Resource Data Centre (RDC) which became operational in the second half of the year.

• The RDC is expected to manage all the statistics and indicators produced and databases within the Service.

• The RDC has three main units: Statistical Production Unit, Data Warehouse Unit and Data Service Units.

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Establishment of a Resource and Data Centre

• The dissemination role includes organization of regular and press releases, TV interviews and media briefing; release of publications; and responding to data requests.

• This unit will be tasked with the responsibility of responding to all kinds of data needs.

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2010 Population and Housing Census Reports• Summary Results of 2010 PHC• National and Regional Demographic Analysis Reports• Monographs

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MONOGRAPHS FROM THE 2010 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS DATA

Children, Adolescent and Youth Economic characteristics

Women and Men Urbanization

Housing Conditions Population Projections

Fertility MDGs in Ghana

Mortality Education and Literacy

Migration Disability

Elderly Non-monetary Poverty in Ghana

Disseminating through Thematic Maps – Census Atlas

• Apart from the analytical reports and the monographs, thematic maps (Census Atlas) has also produced and hard copies distributed.

• The Census Atlas is the primary geographically-based product used for purposes of disseminating census 2010 data.

• It shows the spatial distribution of one or more specific data themes for standard geographic areas.

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POPULATION DENSITY

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Persons enumerated in different region of birth

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Monthly Press release of CPI and PPI• Each month the press is invited for

the release of the Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index.• This gives the opportunity to the

press to interact with staff on the release and for statistical literacy.

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Challenges in data dissemination

• A major challenge is to complete the transition from a paper-based statistical publishing regime to web-based publishing regime. – Greater uptake of electronic dissemination in a

way that improves communication– Continues improvements in the usability,

accessibility of web-site– Providing more self-help facilities for users.

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END OF PRESENTATION

THANK YOU

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